Wrist band and method of manufacturing same

ABSTRACT

A wrist band having a flexible band portion with inward and outward sides, a cover of an absorbent material, and a badge. A first band end portion has a first band end wall and a second band end portion has a second band end wall. The band end walls positioned adjacent to each other and may be joined together. The badge has an inward badge portion attached to inward sides of the band end portions and an outward badge portion attached to outward band sides of the band end portions. The outward badge portion has an outward facing display surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed generally to a wrist band and a method of manufacturing the wrist band.

Description of the Related Art

Wrist bands take many forms. Medical wrist bands typically used in hospitals are thin bands of plastic on which is displayed information such as a patient's name and treatment. Wrist bands are also used to hold wrist watches in place. Another, more recent form of wrist band is an athletic wrist band often referred to as a Bailer Band. A Bailer Band is typically a silicone rubber wrist band with personal or commercial messages or designs worn on the wrist during athletic endeavors. The sport is usually basketball, though bailer bands can be worn by anyone that plays ball. Such athletic wrist bands, whether worn while playing ball or any other sport, or just as a form of jewelry when not engaged in an athletic activity, have less than desirable functional characteristics.

Since the entire wrist band is made of silicon, it may stimulate sweating, and if sweating does occur, the wrist band does not absorb the sweat. A potential alternative approach is a wrist band made of a sweat absorbing material; however, this requires the two free ends of the band of material used to form the wrist band to be sewn together. The stitching may rub against the skin of the wearer as the wearer moves about and can cause itching and discomfort. Further, using such a material makes it difficult to inexpensively and clearly display a message/design on the outer surface of the wrist band.

Therefore, a need exists for new design of wrist band and an improved method of manufacturing the wrist band. The present application provides these and other advantages as will be apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a view of a wrist band in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an outward side of a flexible strip member laid flat and used to form the band portion of the wrist band of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an inward side of the flexible strip member of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the band portion of the wrist band of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an outward side of the band portion of the wrist band of FIG. 1 laid flat.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of first and second end portions of the band portion and the inward and outward portions of the badge used to assist in connecting the end portions together.

FIG. 7 is a perspective front view of a second exemplary embodiment of the wrist band of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective rear view of the wrist band of FIG. 7.

Like reference numerals have been used in the figures to identify like components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate a first exemplary embodiment of a wrist band 10. The wrist band 10 includes a flexible band portion 12 sized to extend loosely around the wrist of a user and a connector member or badge 14. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the band portion 12 of the wrist band 10 is formed from a generally flat and thin flexible strip member 16 of silicon or other material having an inward side 18 and an outward side 20. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a fast drying sweat absorbing elastic webbing material 22 covers the inward and outward sides 18 and 20 of the strip member 16. In alternative embodiments the inward side 18 of the strip member 16 which directly contacts the skin of the wearer may be covered with the webbing material 22 but not the outward side 20. Preferably the webbing material 22 is adhered to the strip member 16. The strip member 16 and webbing material 22 together form the band portion 12 in the illustrated first embodiment. Other smooth materials could be used if biologically compatible and have the desired flexibility to smoothly bend around the wrist of the user so as to be comfortable when worn in contact with the skin of the wearer.

The band portion 12 has inward and outward sides 24 and 26, respectively, and a first end portion 28 with a first free end wall 30 and a second end portion 32 with a second free end wall 34. During assembly of wrist band 10 when being manufactured, the band portion 12 is flexed into a generally circular shape as shown in FIG. 1 with the first free end wall 30 of the first end portion 28 positioned adjacent to the second free end wall 34 of the second end portion 32, with the first and second end portions in a generally coplanar relation, as shown in FIG. 6. When in that position the first and second end portions 28 and 32 are joined together in endwise fashion using a sonic weld at the first and second free end walls 30 and 34, or otherwise adhered together. The band portion 12 has a length such that when the first and second end portions 28 and 32 are joined together the band portion forms a wrist band which encircles the wearer's wrist sufficiently tightly to contact the skin of the wearer so the webbing material 22 can absorb the sweat of the user and the wrist band 10 will not fall off.

After the first and second end portions 28 and 32 of the band portion 12 are joined together in endwise fashion, the badge 14 is attached to the band portion in a position overlaying the first and second end portions 28 and 32 and bridging over the junction of the first and second free end walls 30 and 34, and covering the ends of the webbing material 22. The badge 14 in the illustrated first exemplary embodiment of the wrist band 10 is made of silicone. The badge 14 has an inward portion 36 and an outward portion 38 which are assembled with the first and second end portions 28 and 32 of the band portion 12 sandwiched between them. Before assembling the inward and outward portions 36 and 38 of the badge 14 on the band portion 12, and adhesive 40 is applied to the inward and outward sides 24 and 26 of the band portion along the first and second end portions 28 and 32 of the band portion. The adhesive may also be applied to the touching edges of the inward and outward portions 36 and 38 of the badge. Next the inward and outward portions 36 and 38 of the badge are assembled on the band portion 12 at the locations where the adhesive 40 was applied so as to be securely adhered by the adhesive to the first and second end portions 28 and 32 of the band portion.

Alternatively, the badge 14 may be made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and the inward and outward portions 36 and 38 of the badge 14 may be co-molded around the first and second end portions 28 and 32 of the band portion 12 while positioned in a tool (not shown) to attach the inward portion of the badge to the inward side of the first and second end portions of the band portion and to attach the outward portion of the badge to the outward side of the first and second end portions of the band portion, without the use of an adhesive. Further, the first and second end portions 28 and 32 of the band portion 12 may or may not be joined together in endwise fashion.

Attaching the inward and outward portions 36 and 38 of the badge 14 to the first and second end portions 28 and 32 of the band portion 12 assists in securely connecting together the first and second end portions 28 and 32 of the band portion and avoids the need to sew together the ends of a band of sweat absorbing elastic webbing material and hence avoids the presence of stitches that could rub against the skin of the wearer as the wearer moves about and can cause itching and discomfort. This is done while maintaining the generally thin cross-sectional thickness for the wrist band 10 as is desirable for Bailer Bands and other type wrist bands.

An outward side 42 of the outward portion 38, as well as an inward side 44 of the inward portion 36 of the badge 14 provides surfaces for placement and display of a message or design 46. The described construction and manufacturing method of the wrist band 10 provides an inexpensive manufacturing method and a resulting inexpensive resulting wrist band 10 which is comfortable to wear, absorbs the sweat of the user and allows for clearly displaying a message/design on the badge 14. The wrist band 10 is elastic and flexible and avoids the use of stitches and the potential itching and discomfort stitches can cause when used to stitch the ends of a band together. The wrist band 10 tends to dry quickly after use and is washable.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a second exemplary embodiment of a wrist band 10. In FIG. 8 a text message 48 is printed or otherwise reproduced on the band portion 12 in addition to whatever message or text 46 may appear on the badge 14.

The foregoing described embodiments depict different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected,” or “operably coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is solely defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).

Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A wrist band comprising: a flexible band portion having inward and outward band sides, first and second band end portions, and first and second cover portions of an absorbent elastic material, the first cover portion covering at least a portion of the inward band side and the second cover portion covering at least a portion of the outward band side, the first band end portion having a first band end wall and the second band end portion having a second band end wall, the first and second band end walls being positioned adjacent to each other and endwise joined together, and the first and second band end portions being in a substantially coplanar arrangement; and a badge having inward and outward badge portions, the inward badge portion being attached to the inward band sides of the first and second band end portions and the outward badge portion being attached to the outward band sides of the first and second band end portions, the inward badge portion overlaying the first and second band end portions and bridging over the first and second band end walls and the outward badge portion overlaying the first and second band end portions and bridging over the first and second band end walls, the outward badge portion having an outward facing display surface.
 2. A wrist band comprising: a flexible strip member having inward and outward member sides, and first and second member end portions, the first member end portion having a first member end wall and the second member end portion having a second member end wall, the first and second member end walls being positioned adjacent to each other and endwise joined together, and the first and second member end portions being in a substantially coplanar arrangement; a badge having inward and outward badge portions, the inward badge portion being attached to the inward member sides of the first and second member end portions and the outward badge portion being attached to the outward member sides of the first and second member end portions, the inward badge portion overlaying the first and second member end portions and bridging over the first and second member end walls and the outward badge portion overlaying the first and second member end portions and bridging over the first and second member end walls, the outward badge portion having an outward facing display surface; and first and second cover portions of an absorbent elastic material, the first cover portion covering at least a portion of the inward member side and the second cover portion covering at least a portion of the outward member side.
 3. A wrist band comprising: a flexible band portion having inward and outward band sides, first and second band end portions, and a cover of an absorbent material covering at least a portion of the inward band side, the first band end portion having a first band end wall and the second band end portion having a second band end wall; and a connector member having inward and outward connector portions, the inward connector portion being positioned inward of the inward band sides of the first and second band end portions and the outward connector portion being positioned outward of the outward band sides of the first and second band end portions, the connector member being attached to the first and second band end portions, the inward connector portion overlaying the first and second band end portions and bridging over the first and second band end walls and the outward connector portion overlaying the first and second band end portions and bridging over the first and second band end walls, the outward connector portion having an outward facing display surface.
 4. The wrist band of claim 3, wherein the first and second band end walls are positioned adjacent to each other and endwise joined together.
 5. The wrist band of claim 3, wherein the inward connector portion has first and second inward connector end portions, the cover has first and second cover end portions, and the first cover end portion is positioned between the first inward connector end portion and the first band end portion, and the second cover end portion is positioned between the second inward connector end portion and the second band end portion.
 6. The wrist band of claim 3, wherein the first and second band end portions are in a substantially coplanar arrangement.
 7. A wrist band comprising: a flexible strip member having inward and outward member sides, and first and second member end portions, the first member end portion having a first member end wall and the second end member portion having a second member end wall, a connector member having inward and outward connector portions, the inward connector portion being positioned inward of the inward member sides of the first and second member end portions and the outward connector portion being positioned outward of the outward member sides of the first and second member end portions, the connector member being attached to the first and second member end portions, the inward connector portion overlaying the first and second member end portions and bridging over the first and second member end walls and the outward connector portion overlaying the first and second member end portions and bridging over the first and second member end walls; and a cover of an absorbent elastic material covering at least a portion of the inward member side.
 8. The wrist band of claim 7, wherein the first and second member end walls are positioned adjacent to each other and endwise joined together.
 9. The wrist band of claim 7, wherein the inward connector portion has first and second inward connector end portions, the cover has first and second cover end portions, and the first cover end portion is positioned between the first inward connector end portion and the first band end portion, and the second cover end portion is positioned between the second inward connector end portion and the second band end portion.
 10. The wrist band of claim 7, wherein the first and second band end portions are in a substantially coplanar arrangement.
 11. A wrist band comprising: a flexible band portion having inward and outward band sides, first and second band end portions, and a cover of an absorbent elastic material covering at least a portion of the inward band side, the first band end portion having a first band end wall and the second band end portion having a second band end wall, the first and second band end portions being joined together; and a badge having inward and outward badge portions, the badge being attached to the band portion, the inward badge portion overlaying the first and second band end portions and bridging over the first and second band end walls and the outward badge portion overlaying the first and second band end portions and bridging over the first and second band end walls.
 12. A wrist band comprising: a badge; a flexible strip member having inward and outward member sides, and first and second member end portions, the first and second member end portions being attached to the badge; and a cover of an absorbent elastic material covering at least a portion of the inward member side.
 13. The wrist band of claim 12, wherein the first member end portion has a first member end wall and the second member end portion has a second member end wall, the first and second member end portions are joined together.
 14. The wrist band of claim 12, wherein the badge has an inward badge portion, the first member end portion has a first member end wall and the second member end portion has a second member end wall, and the inward badge portion overlays the first and second member end portions and bridges over the first and second member end walls.
 15. The wrist band of claim 14, wherein the badge has an outward badge portion overlaying the first and second member end portions and bridging over the first and second member end walls.
 16. A wrist band comprising: a flexible band portion having inward and outward band sides, first and second band end portions, and a cover of an absorbent material covering at least a portion of the inward band side, the first band end portion having a first band end wall and the second band end portion having a second band end wall; and a connector member attached to the first and second band end portions, the connector member overlaying the first and second band end portions and bridging over the first and second band end walls, the connector member having an outward facing display surface.
 17. The wrist band of claim 16, wherein the connector member has an inward connector portion positioned inward of the inward band sides of the first and second band end portions, the inward connector portion has first and second inward connector end portions, the cover has first and second cover end portions, and the first cover end portion is positioned between the first inward connector end portion and the first band end portion, and the second cover end portion is positioned between the second inward connector end portion and the second band end portion.
 18. The wrist band of claim 16, wherein the band portion is a flexible strip of silicon.
 19. The wrist band of claim 16, wherein the connector member is a separately formed member of silicon or thermoplastic polyurethane and attached to the band portion.
 20. The wrist band of claim 16, wherein the connector member has inward and outward connector portions, each being a member formed separately from the first and second band end portions, the inward connector portion being positioned inward of the inward band sides of the first and second band end portions and attached to the inward band sides of the first and second band end portions and the outward connector portion being positioned outward of the outward band sides of the first and second band end portions and attached to the outward band sides of the first and second band end portions.
 21. The wrist band of claim 16, wherein the cover is a webbing material.
 22. The wrist band of claim 21, wherein the webbing material is adhered to the inward band side.
 23. The wrist band of claim 16, wherein the cover has first and second cover end portions and the connector member extends over the first and second cover end portions. 